Is this correct?....
My understanding of "base training" is that the advantages that the body develops the ability to use fat as fuel. So long as the intensity is the same, does it matter if this is running, cycling, rowing or any other form of cardio to gain this ability?
I've recently started to cycle to work adding an extra hours exercise to my daily routine.
Of course, I'll still be doing some running, but I thought I may focus on higher intensities if the base work is covered...
Cheers.
If the ability to burn fat for fuel were the only adaptation gained during base training then one could walk a few hours a day and be golden.
Biking will help but nothing replaces running. There are multiple adaptions built through base training that are easily quantifiable and many more that haven't been effectively studied but I'm sure are equally necessary.
the point of a base, is to build a foundation of running to build upon not just train the aerobic system under this definition you shouldn't just ride your bike to build a base but you can use it for for good cross training.
I have a friend who is a pretty good masters runner (now in his early 60s) who trains almost exclusively on the upright and occasionally recumbent bikes at the gym due to years of frustrating injuries. His only runs are when he races.
He is slowing down now, only managing 18:2x for 5k these days, but just a couple years ago in his late 50s (same training plan) he was still in the mid to high 17s. Pretty impressive for anyone that age, especially when viewing his training.
He does an hour or so every day, at high intensity. It's basically a LT workout, from what I see. His turnover is high (90-100) and he keeps the tension pretty high on the bike. I have tried to do the same workout with him, and couldn't keep up at his level, even though I could beat him on the roads (not by much, though!)
i'm in that boat, although still pretty young. years of injuries allow me to barely run at all, just starting to bike a lot this summer. I'm gonna see how racing goes off 90% biking.